The British Open is headed back to broadcast television.
NBC Sports announced Monday that it has reached a 12-year deal with The R&A to carry British Open coverage beginning in 2017. According to Sports Business Journal, the contract is worth $50 million per year, double the $25 million per year ESPN pays currently.
Under the deal, the NBC broadcast network will carry live third and final round coverage of the event — marking the first time since 2009 that live coverage has aired on a broadcast network. The first and second rounds will air on The Golf Channel, the network’s first time carrying major golf.
NBC and Golf Channel will also air the other events managed by The R&A, the Women’s British Open and the Senior Open Championship.
ESPN has held exclusive rights to the British Open since 2010, and prior to that corporate sibling ABC aired the event for nearly 40 years. 2017 was to be the final year of ESPN’s British Open contract, but The R&A reportedly opted out.
(Mon. news from NBC Sports Group Press Box, with additional info from Sports Business Journal)
